“A quietly moving and thoughtful audiodrama that finds beauty in everyday life while exploring grief, love, and growing up.“
I went to the Manchester showing of Can’t Complain at 53two and found it quietly captivating. It’s billed as a “pop audiodrama,” and the evening felt like a chance to experience the music in a slightly theatrical way. It’s not a full-blown stage production yet, but the combination of music, visuals, and atmosphere made it feel more alive than just a listening session.
The story follows Tom and Joanna, two teenagers on the brink of adulthood, whose lives are thrown off course after Joanna’s father dies by suicide. Alongside Joanna’s mum, Helen, they try to carry on while processing grief, navigating new emotions, and figuring out how to be there for each other. The material is obviously heavy, but the show handles it with honesty and warmth. There’s quiet humour in the dialogue and lyrics that makes the characters feel real and relatable even in their most painful moments.
The stage setup at 53two was simple but effective. A table with a few plates, one left untouched, hinted at everyday life interrupted. Behind it, a large screen showed visuals that paired with the music, created by Grace Antoinette Easton. Ordinary scenes like a street, a kitchen, or a looping train were made strangely beautiful through framing and movement, giving the evening a thoughtful, reflective feel. The images didn’t overpower the music; they complemented it and let you focus on the emotional journey of the characters.
The songs themselves are the heart of the show. Sam Easton’s music mixes electronic pop with traditional theatre-style storytelling. The sound is polished and modern, and there are short lines of dialogue that help the story along. Tracks like Changing of the Guard capture the excitement of new love, while Suffer in Silence sticks in your mind long after it ends. Helen’s solo, Best Laid Plans, is quietly powerful, full of emotion but still with a rhythm that keeps it moving.
While the music is strong throughout, the evening also leaves space to just sit with the emotions. The repetition of certain melodies and the slower pace meant you could notice the little details and feel the tension between grief and everyday life. There’s a calmness to the way it flows, even during the heavier moments, which gives it a really gentle tone. It’s not about big spectacle or flashy numbers, it’s about the characters and the story.
What stood out most was how the show finds meaning in ordinary life. The heartbreak is real, but it’s mixed with everyday routines the cooking, walking down streets, looking out of windows. That mix of the mundane with the emotional makes it feel really human. Even small moments, like a glance between Joanna and Tom or a half eaten meal, carry weight.
It’s obvious a lot of thought has gone into this project. The music, visuals, and simple staging all work together to create something cohesive and original. There’s care in how the story is told and how grief, love, and growing up are explored. Even though it’s based on a concept album, it never feels like you’re just listening in, you feel like you’re part of the story.
Overall, the Manchester showing of Can’t Complain was an impressive evening. It’s intimate and reflective, finding beauty in everyday life while handling heavy themes sensitively. The music is strong, the story feels real, and the visuals add subtle depth without taking over. It’s a thoughtful piece that stays with you long after it finishes, and it’s clear there’s something special here worth following.
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